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Paper Talk: Stones rejects Barca; United offer Pogba sweetener

Date published: Friday 10th June 2016 7:50

John Stones has rejected a move to Barcelona as a move to Manchester City draws closer, while Manchester United will offer Matteo Darmian in a sweetener for Paul Pogba, according to Friday’s newspapers.

UNITED OFFER DARMIAN SWEETENER FOR POGBA

Manchester United will offer defender Matteo Darmian to Juventus as part of a proposed deal for Paul Pogba.

The Sun claim Jose Mourinho is desperate to add the France international to his squad this summer.

A £60m bid was reportedly launched last week to bring the 23-year-old back to Old Trafford after being sold by the Red Devils in 2012.

United signed the Italian last summer from Torino in a deal worth £12m.

Darmian made an impressive start for the Red Devils, scooping the club’s August Player of the Month.

His form dipped though and by the end of the campaign Antonio Valencia became first-choice at right-back.

Pogba has made 124 appearances for Juventus, scoring 28 goals and winning Serie A on four occasions.

The 23-year-old is currently on international duty with France as they prepare to kick-off Euro 2016 against Romania tomorrow night.

Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester City and Chelsea have all been linked with Pogba in the pastbut Mourinho seems determined to add midfielder to his ranks this summer.

STONES REJECTS BARCELONA AS MAN CITY MOVE DRAWS CLOSER

England defender John Stones has turned down a move to Barcelona – who now believe he will join Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

According to the Daily Mail, Barcelona met the Everton defender’s agent Paul Martin last week, offering £90,000 a week plus bonuses for trophies won, but the offer was rejected.

Barca have been following Stones since 2014 and were not put off by his drop in form last season but they have a crippling wage bill weighed down by the huge salaries of Neymar and Lionel Messi.

Stones’ pace and two-footed ability on the ball had convinced them that he could be a long-term replacement for Javier Mascherano but Martin is understood to have made it clear their offer was considerably lower than those the 22-year-old has on the table from other Premier League suitors.

Barcelona also believe their former coach Guardiola wants Stones and that even if City sign Athletic Bilbao defender Aymeric Laporte, it would not put them off trying to sign Stones too.

The La Liga side had hoped footballing reasons would tempt Stones to La Liga but the prospect of working with Guardiola means he will not be moving to Spain.

AND THE REST

Adam Lallana and Raheem Sterling will start for England against Russia on Saturday, with Wayne Rooney in midfield (Daily Mirror)

New Man United boss Jose Mourinho wants to take 29-year-old Portugal international Nani back to Old Trafford. The Fenerbahce winger has a £6.3m release clause (DHA)

Manuel Pellegrini is reportedly on the verge of being named the new AC Milan manager (The Sun)

Real Madrid are no longer interested in Manchester United and Spain goalkeeper David de Gea, 25 (Marca)

Striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 34, has been told by Sweden boss Erik Hamren to delay confirmation of his move to Manchester United until after Euro 2016.